Assombalonga Joins Forest

Striker Britt Assombalonga has joined Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee.

Peterborough United Football Club has today (Wednesday) confirmed that striker Britt Assombalonga has joined Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee.

Assombalonga submitted a transfer request at London Road and a subsequent bid from Nottingham Forest was tabled. After discussions between all parties, an agreement has been made and the striker, who joined Posh last summer from Watford, has passed a medical and completed his move to the Reds.

Club chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: ‘I like every other person associated with Posh will miss Britt Assombalonga, not just for his goals and what he brings to the team, but for his values, his character, his personality and his desire to be a better person on and off the field.

'Last year we took a massive chance and paid over 7 figures for a young lad who had just turned 20 and had never kicked a ball outside of League Two football. I have no doubt lots of fans and people in the football world saw it as a crazy move, but that move and what's just happened epitomises everything we do as a football club with young raw talent.

'After receiving what will be a record fee for a League One club and for Posh, I told the Gaffer I would turn the final bid down. Once the Gaffer spoke to Britt and his father, it was clear he wanted to progress, speak to Forest and conveyed he was in no way in the right frame of mind for the game against Rochdale on Saturday should this opportunity not be afforded to him.

'That is no slight on Britt or his character, he was honest and speaking from the heart and not a from a financial point of view. He will be missed by all of us at the club and we will watch his career go from strength to strength over the coming years, knowing we played a big part in that happening. |

'This transfer decision was made with the Gaffers full blessing and whilst at an awful time for us as a club, we will do what we always do, go out and bring in more young and hungry talent that will see us prosper on and off the field,' MacAnthony said.

Assombalonga said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chairman Darragh MacAnthony for granting me this fantastic opportunity with Nottingham Forest. I would also like to thank the manager Darren Ferguson, the football management team and all the staff at London Road for their help, advice and guidance since I joined the football club.

‘Finally I would like to thank the Posh supporters. Ever since I walked into the club last year, they have been superb and I will always remember that support. I firmly believe the football club can have a fantastic season this year because there are a lot of talented players in that dressing room,’ Assombalonga said.

The club would like to thank Britt for his services and wish him well for the future.